After an extensive manhunt and assistance from a witness, DeKalb County police have arrested a shooting suspect who prompted an hourslong standoff near Lithonia High School.
Quartez Rodgers, 27, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault after opening fire on DeKalb officers Thursday night and then barricading himself inside a home, police said Friday night.
Police learned of the man’s identity from a 911 caller who “provided investigators with a great description of the suspect,” police said in a Twitter post that announced Rodgers’ arrest.
The ordeal began about 11:30 p.m. Thursday when two officers responded to a report of shots fired in the Oxford Square subdivision near the high school, police said.
After the 911 caller gave a description of the shooter, officers spotted someone matching that description standing in the road.
The officers were not injured when the man opened fire, hitting their patrol car, DeKalb police Chief Mirtha Ramos told Channel 2 Action News from the scene.
“When the person notices that the police vehicle is coming down the street, he turns toward them and begins shooting toward the officers,” she said. “The officers did return fire as they were reversing as they retreated from the area.”
Credit: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM
Credit: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM
During the nearly seven-hour standoff, authorities asked residents in the area to remain indoors. SWAT worked through the night to make contact with Rodgers before stopping their efforts just before 6 a.m.
No other details were released about his arrest.
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